Independent retailers from across the UK could unite under a single website
and delivery system, if a government-backed pilot project to revive
Britain’s high streets succeeds.

The developers of the “Open High Street” project, which is being trialled with small businesses and shoppers in Hereford, say it will “allow retailers and farm producers to compete online with the likes of M&S and Tesco”.

The site charges a flat commission of about 10pc to retailers and allows customers to have one shopping basket and a single delivery for all their high street shopping for £5.

Aby Handler, of Inzenka, the consultancy firm which is managing the project, said the aim was to build a “virtual high street”.

“It’s a platform for local businesses that can’t afford to run a website and allows customers to have the quality and service they get from independents at any time.”

He said although sites like Amazon’s marketplace allow independent shops to sell online easily, it can be an unsatisfying experience for buyers since “10 orders means 10 different deliveries”.

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